Business Licensing Guide

Tennessee Business Registration

All businesses operating in Tennessee must register with the TN Secretary of State. Business entity types: LLC, Corporation, Partnership, Sole Proprietorship. Filing fees: $50-300 depending on entity type. Processing time: 3-5 business days online, 7-10 days by mail. Register at sos.tn.gov.

Davidson County Business Tax

Nashville/Davidson County requires a business tax license. Annual renewal required. Tax rates vary by business classification (0.1% to 0.3% of gross receipts). Apply at Metro Nashville Finance Department or online. Processing: 2-4 weeks.

Sales Tax

Tennessee sales tax: 7% state + 2.25% local (Nashville) = 9.25% total. Register for sales tax permit at tntap.tn.gov (free). Food and food ingredients: 4% state rate + local. SaaS and digital products: taxable in Tennessee. Monthly filing required for most businesses.

Specialty Licenses

Food service: TN Department of Health + Davidson County Health Dept. Alcohol: TN Alcoholic Beverage Commission (ABC) permit. Transportation: TN Public Utilities Commission. Security: TN Department of Commerce & Insurance (Private Protective Services). Contractors: TN Board for Licensing Contractors (projects $25K+).